Embedded Files
3 Things You Should Know for Comprehension and Communication
3 Things You Should Know for Comprehension and Communication
1. What is a Scale
1. What is a Scale
Scales are a pattern of intervals.Â
Scales are a pattern of intervals.Â
Intervals are the distances between notes. That's it.
Intervals are the distances between notes. That's it.
Major Scale
- Terminology is named in reference to this scale
- Scale Patterns are universal to all instruments
Diatonic modes.Â
- starting the scale from a different intervalÂ
- C Maj example: starting from A = Am scaleÂ
Other scales.
- changing the pattern creates new scales
- example: W,W,W,W,W,W = whole step scale
Scales are the most important thing to learn on any instrument.Â
It significantly helps:Â
identifying notes
creating chords
learning new material
2. Chord Terminology
2. Chord Terminology
Alterations are symbols used to describe Interval changes
Alterations are symbols used to describe Interval changes
Sharp #: The note is a Half step higher
Flat b: the note is a Half step lower
There is no sharp/flat note between E,F or B,C
E#=F, Fb=E
3. Rhythm Terminology
3. Rhythm Terminology
Beats per minute (BPM) ♩=###Â
♩=60 means each beat is 1 second long
Top Number ÷  Bottom number = ♩ beats
This changes the value of every other symbol
Top number is ♩ beats in each | | measure
4/4 ♩=60 Â
Every measure | |= 4 seconds Â
It's common to see a single Whole note đť…ť or whole rest đť„» represent a whole measure regardless of its correct beat value
Notes tied together 𝅝-♩ can also show a note duration longer than a measure |𝅝|-♩ ♩♩♩|
Bonus: Reading Clasical Notation
Bonus: Reading Clasical Notation
Classical Notation is largely ignored for more intuitive means, however it still has several uses even if not used for sight reading
Universal language
Exact harmony definitionsÂ
Exact melody timingÂ
big picture in little spaceÂ
Understanding what you like about a song
Understanding what you like about a song
ProgressionsÂ
ProgressionsÂ
All Songs are Progressions.
If you heard a song play D-G, and another play F#-B. you'd notice they sound identical.Â
Those examples were the same interval. V-I.Â
Singers who can't reach particular notes will often change the key (scale) and use the same intervals for the song.
We can use Progressions to:Â
Learn songs faster, Communicate ideas, and Transpose (change key)
Chord Distance Chart
This is a Chart that maps out the Relation between chord movements
The Diatonic Ring are chords in keyÂ
Tonic Quality Stationary, Can Imitate Root
Dominant Quality Strong Lead and ResolutionÂ
Step Quality Ambiguous movementÂ
Tritone Most Dissonant chordÂ
ProformanceÂ
ProformanceÂ
Melody
In the top example each measure is played in the same shape. It lacks movement and expansion within the measure.Â
Arpeggiating the chord into scale patterns is a simple way to your chords more interesting. and can still be combined with block chords
Rhythm
In the top example every note is played on the beat. It's very predictable.
Playing some notes off beat allows more complexity. The rhythm is affected by Rest notes just as much as Beat notes. play between the beats to add more layers of melody
Harmony
In the top example the only notes played are the ones used in that measures chord. It's highly restrictiveÂ
Reharmonize the measure.Â
Chords Substitution: Changes Mood
Out of Key off beat: Builds anticipation Â
Out of Key on beat: Subverts expectationsÂ
Chromatic movement: consider dragging notes from point A to B
Going out of Key to use Non diatonic dominantsÂ
Any note out of key is only a half step from a resolution
Story Telling
Some Chords Expresses Emotions better than others. Here's some of my opinions
Major: Triumphant, Stable
Minor: Somber, Melancholic
Power Chords: Aggressive, Energetic
Diminished: Tense, eerie
TLDR...
Learn Terminology
Recognize PatternsÂ
Practice combining ideas
Page updated
Report abuse